Malaysia: Najib Razak resigns as party president, coalition chief

He has been cleared by Malaysian authorities but is being investigated by several other countries.

Robertson told the Blade that new Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad's government "should now get busy revising or revoking the many rights abusing laws that are still on the books in Malaysia so that other politicians and activists do not suffer a similar injustice to what Anwar faced".

Swiss prosecutors said on Tuesday they wanted to start talks with investigators in Malaysia as soon as possible to better coordinate various criminal probes into the sprawling case. "Exactly how much jewelry, I would not be able to say, because we know that we confiscated bags containing jewelry and the amount of jewelry is rather large".

Smiling and looking spry in a dark suit and tie, the 70-year-old gave a thumbs-up to a crowd of journalists before being whisked away by auto for an audience with the country's king. But he looked in fine fettle as he walked free for the first time in three years, dressed in a black suit and tie, his hair neatly swept back.

Far from just being an ideal situation, this is the new reality of Malaysian politics where an old experienced leader has teamed up with a multipolar minded and multiracial minded party to help form the core of a new political programme for all Malaysians.

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Mahathir has said the government will seek to retrieve billions of dollars laundered from 1MDB to repay government debts that have piled up over the years. Anwar must first be re-elected to parliament before he can succeed Mahathir.

But the two men fell out bitterly, largely over how to respond to the 1997 financial crisis, and unprecedented public protests were triggered when the popular Anwar was jailed.

Anwar was once a high-flyer in the National Front but was convicted of homosexual sodomy and corruption after a power struggle in 1998 with Mahathir, who was prime minister for 22 years until 2003. By any measure, this potent Mahathir-Anwar potion has transmitted renewed hope across the region at a time when democracy is under threat.

Anwar's trial became a spectacle, with prosecutors at one stage bringing out what they said was a semen-stained mattress allegedly used when he had sex with two male aides. But Anwar said he plans to return as a lawmaker by running in a by-election this year as well as spend time with his family and travel overseas for speaking engagements. Both times, he and his supporters have said the charges were politically motivated.

Bespectacled and dressed in a sharp black suit and dark tie, Anwar was due to give a press conference. "Why should I harbour any malice toward him?" "Why should I harbour any malice towards him?"

"The pardon also allows Anwar to return to politics", Rasiah added. He served as deputy prime minister and finance minister under newly-elected Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad during the latter's first tenure as leader, and was seen as Mahathir's heir-apparent until he was sacked in 1999.

He said it was Mahathir's prerogative to form the cabinet, but noted he had given assurances that he will consult party leaders.

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